September 17th

The two-state solution is nearly dead. But there's one last chance to save it
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Jonathan Freedland - (Opinion) September 16, 2008 - 8:00pm

By tonight, the governing party should have a new leader. After a painful summer limping along with an unpopular prime minister - who never came close to matching the popularity of his predecessor - the party will today have the leadership contest and the fresh start it has yearned for.

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Israeli restrictions leave Palestinians dependent on aid, says World Bank
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Rory McCarthy - September 16, 2008 - 8:00pm

The World Bank warned today that continued Israeli economic restrictions are severely limiting the potential of the Palestinian economy and leaving Palestinians more dependent on foreign aid than ever. In a report to be delivered to international donor governments this month, the World Bank acknowledges that Israel has lifted some roadblocks in the occupied West Bank but it says the impact is limited. It says continued discussions about removing individual checkpoints and roadblocks have become a "distraction" from the bigger issues.

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Livni claims win in Israeli vote
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
September 16, 2008 - 8:00pm

Tzipi Livni has claimed victory in the contest to lead Israel's ruling Kadima party as exit polls suggest she won by a clear margin. The foreign minister told supporters in a radio broadcast that "the good guys" had won after the ballot by members of the party. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is resigning amid corruption allegations. If she can form a coalition Ms Livni, 50, would become Israel's first woman prime minister in more than 30 years. Two television exit polls suggested Ms Livni had beaten Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz by a margin of 48% to 37%.

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Syria sets basis for Israel talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
September 3, 2008 - 8:00pm

Syria has sent a list of proposals to Israel aimed at laying the groundwork for direct peace talks between the two foes, President Bashar al-Assad says. "We are awaiting Israel's response to six points submitted through Turkey," Mr Assad said, promising Syria would respond positively to Israel's answer. Direct talks could happen once a new US administration "which believes in the peace process" takes office, he said. Syria has remained in a state of war with Israel since its 1948 foundation.

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Israel?s Political Situation Dims Hopes for Peace Deal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Helene Cooper - July 31, 2008 - 8:00pm

WASHINGTON ? The official line in Washington, Jerusalem and Ramallah is that the decision by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel to resign will not affect American efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians before the end of the year. Israeli officials said Thursday that Mr. Olmert could still try to reach a peace pact in his remaining time in office. In Tunisia, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, pledged to work with Mr. Olmert and his successor.

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Gaza hospitals strain under pressure of strikes
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Ibrahim Barzak - September 3, 2008 - 8:00pm

A walkout of medical staff throughout Gaza has strained services at hospitals and clinics throughout the territory, the latest in a series of crippling strikes that are deepening bitter divisions between Gaza's militant Hamas rulers and loyalists of moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The strike has forced non-complying doctors to pull double shifts and left residents struggling for treatment, adding to the hardships in a territory suffering from international isolation since Hamas wrested control of Gaza from Fatah-allied security forces in June 2007.

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A new television series based in the West Bank provides a unique perspective on life under occupation (1). Ongoing turmoil surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert dampens the peace effort (2), though some remain hopeful (4). The Muslim holiday of Ramadan begins while the Israeli blockade of Gaza continues (3). Egypt recloses its Gaza border after a brief opening allowed thousands to pass through (5). Al-Qaeda oriented groups train in the Gaza strip (6). Thousands of medical workers in Gaza go on strike in response to the Hamas-run health ministry?s recent spate of firings (8).

Sources: Hamas' inflexibility, Egypt tensions stalling Shalit talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amoss Harel - September 1, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israeli and Palestinian sources seem to agree on one thing: The negotiations for the release of Gilad Shalit are stuck. Israeli security sources involved in the negotiations over the abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier said no significant progress was achieved in recent weeks' talks. The ministerial meeting Sunday to reevaluate the criteria for releasing Palestinian prisoners was meant to send Hamas a message that Israel is willing to show a certain degree of flexibility, the sources said. However, Hamas has taken an even tougher stance, the sources said.

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Two Border policemen convicted of manslaughter in killing of Palestinian teen
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
September 1, 2008 - 8:00pm

Two Border policemen were convicted of manslaughter Tuesday for their part in the kidnapping and wrongful death of a Palestinian teen from Hebron in 2002. The two, Shahar Botbeka and Denis Alhazov, were posted in Hebron in 2002 when they along with two other patrolmen abducted several Hebron residents, among them 17-year-old Amran Abu Hamadiya, and took them for a ride in their jeep. They abused the men and beat them with truncheons and rifles. They hurled Abu Hamadiya out of the moving vehicle, causing his death.

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Palestinian seriously wounded in Ni'lin
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Tovah Lazaroff - September 1, 2008 - 8:00pm

Ayed Sroor, 40, was critically wounded by the IDF early Monday morning when soldiers entered his family's home to arrest his brother in the Palestinian village of Ni'lin, outside of Modi'in Illit. Ni'lin has been the site of numerous anti-fence demonstrations in the last few months, many of which have turned violent. The IDF said Ayed's brother, Aqal Sadeq Sroor, was suspected of throwing a smoke grenade at security forces during one of those demonstration and the IDF had come to his home to arrest him.

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